Understanding the tremendous revenues generated by college football and basketball, there are two questions that need answering.

First, shouldn't the players whose performances put the fans in the stands, sell the jerseys and provide the ESPN highlights be paid for their work? After all, minor-league baseball players sign contracts and get salaries.

Second, shouldn't college football and basketball scholarships be classified as taxable income? Some of these players are getting $250,000 worth of (yeah, right) education to perform in an entertainment arena that generates tens of millions of dollars.

Traded services are taxable in every other business, so why not in major college sports? Most of these kids are not in college to get an education; they are there to play basketball and football. It is simply the next step from high school to the pros.

Just check the graduation percentage rates among major-college football and basketball players and you'll see that this is a fact.

This might be another tax loophole to close during this "fiscal cliff" battle. Make major-college football and basketball scholarships taxable income--especially if the players don't graduate.

Those are a few things to think about while you're watching all those endless bowl games this holiday season and watching Maryland wave bye-bye to the ACC.

And if you're a Virginia Tech fan, understand that you're going to the Russell Athletic Bowl because of the thickness of the alumni's wallets, not the team's 6-6 record.

Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com